Today was a great first day of Learning On the Go at Cornerstone Park.
Daily Herald Article by Rick West
We served…..
-44 families and 83 children with programming and early learning materials
-159 visitors on the library mobile bus and had 30 summer reading sign-ups
-Elgin Parks and Rec served over distributed 70 lunches
-138 families served at mobile pantry resulting in 600 adults and children having food tonight
-312 Diapers Distributed by St. Paul’s “dry bottoms tonight”
-12 Community Partners attended to support families today, Northern Illinois Food Bank, School District U-46, City of Elgin, Elgin Parks and Rec, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Gail Borden, Boys and Girls Club Preschool For All, Learning Tree Preschool, Two Rivers Head Start, VNA Health Care, Birth to Five Illinois, Centro de información, and we needed every single one to make it successful today.
First Day Video
We know that school readiness isn’t just about preparing children—it happens faster and more meaningfully when families/caregivers are ready too: engaged, informed, equipped, and supported. And that’s exactly what we witnessed today. We wrapped services and made a collective impact together!
Families stayed after the event to enjoy one another’s company, played together, ate together and built relationships that strengthen their support systems. One moment truly captured the heart of it all below!
A three-year-old girl named Camilla was on the playset and happily said, “This is my friend,” pointing to another little girl her age. I asked the moms how they met, and they shared, “We met last year here at Learning On the Go, and now we get together so the girls can play.”
That simple connection spoke volumes. These families are building community and readiness together. As the moms walked to the parking lot, the two little girls held hands the whole way—a small but powerful reminder that when families are supported, children thrive.